Camp Cooking Tips & Amazing Spicy Chicken Trail Taco Recipe

After a day spent on the trails, you’re probably going to be pretty hungry by the time you return to your camp. Whether you’re hiking, backpacking, or just enjoying a little R&R in the woods, somehow a dinner made at camp always just seems to taste better. Nothing is better than a star-filled sky, a cozy sleeping bag, and a hot, homemade meal.

That is, unless that meal is burned and flavorless.

We know campfire cooking can be hard, especially if you’re in the backcountry and have limited space to carry ingredients. And while making a gourmet dish over an open flame is not quite as easy as cooking in your kitchen at home, with the right tools and a little know-how, you can make a few campfire cooking recipes that are sure to be the envy of your fellow campers.

Level Up Your Camp Cooking

Here are a few of our favorite classic campfire recipes, bound to upgrade your camping game. Fair warning: If you follow any of these recipes, we suggest making a little extra – you’re probably going to have campers nearby looking at their freeze-dried foods and wanting to come try yours instead!

Some general tips for all these recipes:

Make sure you have the right gear. Check in advance if your campsite has grills over the firepits and bring a portable grill if it doesn’t or if you’re using a backcountry fire pit.

If you’re guerilla camping or camping outside of an established area, bring a portable firepit to cook in and easily move from site to site.

Pre-measure to save space. If you’re backpacking, measure your spices in advance and put them in one small bag, rather than carrying individual containers.

Before you begin cooking, get a consistent fire going with flames under the height of your grill. Having flames lap the side of your cooking container increases your risk of burning both your food and your hands. [Read More about cooking over a fire]

For Backpackers Who Want to Spice Things Up

Spicy Chicken Soft Tacos

This camping recipe uses lightweight ingredients and only one pot or pan, saving you valuable space in your bag. This is for two people and is easy to make on a smaller cooking service, like a portable grill. Makes approximately two servings.

Ingredients:

Corn or flour tortillas

Yellow onion and red or green peppers

Shredded cheese

A handful of cilantro sprigs

An 8 oz package of pre-cooked chicken slices

Homemade taco seasoning. (You can also just use a pre-made package from the store.)

Hot sauce (if you really like spicy.)

Vegetable oil (though you can use water if you don’t feel like bringing a small container of oil)